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Voters are keenly aware of the heated scrum between Republicans and Democrats. Far fewer are tuned in to the battles within the scrummage itself.

Not all candidates running under the “R” or “D” label are genetically the same. On the national level, the MAGA faction has displaced the traditional Republican hierarchy while the far left, characterized by the socialist faction, is attempting to do the same within the Democratic Party. The Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA, has not metastasized into leadership yet, but it is making inroads.

That is evident in the Pacific Northwest, where Seattle recently elected its first self-described democratic socialist as mayor, and in Portland where the socialist movement has swooped in to grab the tiller on the city council.

Whatever one’s view of the DSA agenda, you must marvel at how effective socialists have been in leveraging a small cadre of activists into a powerhouse, essentially controlling half of the Portland City Council today. Consider that Portland has a population of 635,000 and DSA membership is only 3,000, yet DSA members now officially occupy four of the 12 seats on the council and consistently influence at least two other closely allied progressive Democrats.

How can a group so small wield such impressive leverage in the political spectrum? It comes from understanding that minor political parties have virtually no chance of winning partisan races in a world dominated by Democratic and Republican voters in our two-party system. The strategic formula is to embed in one of the major party labels, then incubate and nurture within it.

Far right activists in the MAGA movement nest inside the Republican Party label while the far left DSA faction bunk inside the Democratic label. Neither party has any control over anyone who chooses to register under the “D” or “R” label.

Voters can understandably be confused. MAGA started as a campaign slogan and has since morphed into a movement without clearly defined edges or definitions.

In the case of the socialists, the term “democratic socialists” might lead one to believe they are an arm of the big “D” Democratic party when they are not. In the case of the DSA, the word “democratic” refers to the idea that capitalism should be destroyed and replaced by socialism through a democratic process at the ballot box, rather than militant revolution.

To succeed, they must gain access to political infrastructure and the money that fuels it.

Portland State University professor Ramin Farahmandpur recently wrote a fascinating piece on Substack highlighting the local Portland DSA. He titled it, “The Trojan Horse Strategy.” In particular, he noted:

 

“Its (DSA) strategists are frank about the goal: to transform unions from defensive institutions that protect workers into offensive instruments for socialist political change.”

 

DSA activists’ goal in recent years is to bore into the political apparatus of public employee unions — or as the New York DSA refers to it, “salting” them with DSA activists. In Oregon, it is seen most notably in teachers unions like the Portland Association of Teachers, Beaverton Education Association, and the Oregon Education Association.

The DSA has gained access to the political tools, grassroots infrastructure, and campaign coffers of the unions to promote not only worker-friendly candidates, but those who embrace their broader social agenda and geopolitical positions at both the local and state level. As Professor Farahmandpur wrote:

“The logic flows directly from the rank-and-file strategy: gain influence in unions, redirect union political activity toward DSA’s program, use that program to discipline elected officials. The union becomes a transmission belt for a political movement its members never voted to join.”

Having taken hold of the Portland City Council, the movement is seeking to expand into the legislative ranks in Salem. Currently there are four DSA-aligned members serving in the Oregon Legislature: Reps. Travis Nelson, Farrah Chaichi, Mark Gamba, and Lesly Muñoz.

This year, DSA stalwart Tammy Carpenter is looking to join the legislature in the seat being vacated by Rep. Ken Helm (D-Beaverton). Ky Fireside, a DSA member in Eugene, is looking to succeed the retiring state Rep. John Lively (D-Springfield). Another ally of the socialist group — Myrna Muñoz, sister of Rep. Lesly Muñoz — is attempting to unseat Sen. Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro), a pro-business Democrat in Hillsboro, with teacher union financial support.

DSA-aligned groups are also trying to oust another moderate business oriented Democrat, Rep. Daniel Nguyen (D-Lake Oswego), by supporting John Wasielewski.

Considering that the DSA mantra is, “Capitalism is the problem and socialism is the solution,” it is not surprising they would target Democrats sympathetic to business concerns.

As demonstrated in the 1977 Oregon Legislature, when the Six-Pack emerged, a half dozen tightly aligned members can wrestle control of leadership and policy in a majority party. It appears the DSA is right on the cusp of achieving that critical mass. This primary election will determine just how far they have come.